Greek · Stromateis · Miscellanies
Eight books of loosely arranged reflections presenting Christianity as the true knowledge (gnosis) and philosophy. Clement uses them to engage Greek philosophy and Christian Gnostic teachers.
Dating
The chronology in book 1 ends with the death of Commodus (192), so the books were written after that; most scholars date them c. 198-203, possibly continuing until Clement's death c. 215.Books it uses
Uses all four Gospels as scripture and (Strom. 3.13.93, Latin only in ANF) distinguishes 'the four Gospels handed down to us' from the Gospel of the Egyptians.
Uses all four Gospels as scripture and (Strom. 3.13.93, Latin only in ANF) distinguishes 'the four Gospels handed down to us' from the Gospel of the Egyptians.
Uses all four Gospels as scripture and (Strom. 3.13.93, Latin only in ANF) distinguishes 'the four Gospels handed down to us' from the Gospel of the Egyptians.
Uses all four Gospels as scripture and (Strom. 3.13.93, Latin only in ANF) distinguishes 'the four Gospels handed down to us' from the Gospel of the Egyptians.
Cites Acts by name, e.g. Strom. 5.12 (Paul at Athens, Acts 17).
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Pauline letters are cited as 'the apostle' throughout the Stromata; Philemon is not cited.
Accepts Hebrews as Paul's (written in Hebrew, translated by Luke: Hypotyposes per Eus. HE 6.14.2) and cites it in the Stromata.
Cites 1 Peter repeatedly as Peter's epistle.
Strom. 2.15.66: 'John... in his larger Epistle' (1 John 5:16–17).
'Larger Epistle' implies a shorter one; the Latin Adumbrationes comment on 2 John.
Cites Jude by name (Strom. 3.2.11; Paed. 3.8.44); Eusebius says the Hypotyposes covered Jude and the other Catholic Epistles.
Strom. 6.13: 'as John says in the Apocalypse'.
Quotations
John, too, manifestly teaches the differences of sins, in his larger Epistle, in these words: “If any man see his brother sin a sin that is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life: for these that sin not unto death,” he says. For “there is a sin unto death: I do not say that one is to pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin; and there is a sin not unto death.”
Strom. 2.15.66Quotation
ANF vol. 2 (1885), ed. Roberts & Donaldson, American ed. A. C. Coxe (tr. W. Wilson) · Source (opens in a new tab)
'His larger Epistle' implies Clement knew at least one shorter Johannine letter.
1 John 5:16–17 BSB
16If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin. 17All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that does not lead to death.
Divinely, therefore, the power which spoke to Hermas by revelation said, “The visions and revelations are for those who are of double mind, who doubt in their hearts if these things are or are not.”
Strom. 1.29.181Names the book
ANF vol. 2 (1885), ed. Roberts & Donaldson, American ed. A. C. Coxe (tr. W. Wilson) · Source (opens in a new tab)
Hermas (Vis. 3.4.3) quoted as divine revelation: Clement's scriptural boundary is wider than the later canon.